I. (ˈ)i, ə, (ˈ)ir, (ˈ)iə+ adjective
Etymology: Middle English irreguler, from Middle French, from Late Latin irregularis, from Latin in- in- (I) + Late Latin regularis regular — more at regular
1. of a person
a. Roman Catholicism : prevented by an impediment or bar from receiving or exercising clerical orders or offices
b. : behaving without regard to established laws, customs, or moral principles
a wild irregular man in his youth
c. : not belonging to or not having satisfied the requirements of some particular group or organized body
an irregular physician
2.
a. : failing to accord with what is usual, proper, accepted, or right
irregular conduct
: contrary to rule or custom
some of his documents were irregular
although it was irregular we accepted the excuse
b. of a word or inflection : not conforming to the normal or usual manner of inflection
sell, cast, feed are irregular verbs
specifically : strong 16a
c.
(1) : improper or inadequate because of failure to conform to a prescribed course
(2) of a marriage under Eng or Scots law : celebrated without either proclamation of the banns or publication of intention to marry : clandestine
d. : not belonging to the regular army organization but raised for a special purpose
irregular troops are often used as independent commands to harass the enemy
3.
a. : lacking perfect symmetry of form : not straight, smooth, even, regular
a rough irregular terrain
a long irregular coastline
irregular teeth
b. of a flower or its parts : lacking uniformity
an irregular corolla
specifically : zygomorphic
4.
a. : lacking continuity or regularity of occurrence, activity, or function
irregular payments
irregular intervals
an irregular worker
b. of a physiological function : failing to occur at regular or normal intervals
irregular menstruation
have your bowels been irregular
c. of an individual : failing to defecate at such intervals
was constipated and very irregular
d. of a market : characterized by individual price movements in both directions without establishment of an overall trend
cotton futures were irregular
II. noun
: one that is irregular: as
a. : a soldier (as a guerrilla or partisan) who is not a member of a regular military force — usually used in plural
b. irregulars plural : merchandise that has imperfections or that falls below the manufacturer's usual standard or specifications and is usually sold unbranded and at a concession in price — compare second II 4
III. adjective
Etymology: New Latin Irregularia
: exocyclic